Search "defend" in:
Browse words next to:
 |
defend
transitive verb1 a: to drive danger or attack away from <defend our shores> b
(1): to maintain or support in the face of argument or hostile criticism <defend a theory>
(2): to prove (as a doctoral thesis) valid by answering questions in an oral exam c: to attempt to prevent an opponent from scoring at <elects to defend the south goal>2archaic : prevent
, forbid3: to act as attorney for4: to deny or oppose the right of a plaintiff in regard to (a suit or a wrong charged) : contest5: to retain or seek to retain (as a title or position) against a challenge in a contest <they successfully defended their championship>intransitive verb1: to take action against attack or challenge2: to play or be on defense <playing deep to defend against a pass>3: to play against the high bidder in a card game
— de·fend·able
\ˈfen-də-bəl\
adjective synonyms defend
, protect
, shield
, guard
, safeguard mean to keep secure from danger or against attack. defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack <defend the country>. protect implies the use of something (as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure <a hard hat to protect your head>. shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack <shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand>. guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger <White House entrances are well guarded>. safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger <our civil liberties must be safeguarded>.
synonyms see in addition maintain
Learn more about
"defend" and related topics at
Britannica.com
|